Gerry Adams: I will lead Sinn Féin into next election

Tue, 12 Jul, 2016 - 14:08

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams says he intends to lead his party into the General Election, writes Juno McEnroe.

The Louth TD was speaking following a poll which shows Sinn Féin still hovering below the support level it had before going into the General Election.

Asked by journalists today whether he would lead Sinn Féin into the next election, Mr Adams replied: 'Yes'.

.@GerryAdamsSF addressing the media at Leinster House on the nomination of Theresa May as leader of the Tory Party pic.twitter.com/mdeZ2Nm6l2
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) July 12, 2016

There is much talk around Leinster House that the Fine Gael minority government may not last the three or five years as expected and that TDs may face a snap election being called as early as next year.

Mr Adams also had some criticism for the July 12 celebrations, traditionally led by the Orange Order.

Three Belfast homes in the Shankill area

Speaking at Leinster House, Mr Adams said: “There was minimum agro around some of the more contentious parades this morning."

But he added: “Imagine a bonfire here, bigger than the buildings, it’s just absolutely crazy."

He described how Sinn Féin have taken a number of cases over "incitement to hatred" issues, including the burning of posters of officials or images of them.

One incident included an effigy of Mr Adams hanging with a noose from a fire. Mr Adams added: “It’s not good for kids, good for harmony, not good for communities.

“Many Orange men, particularly rural Orange men, are discommoded and embarrassed by it.”